IAG has recruited an additional 400 staff to work across customer service, sales and claims, with a quarter seconded from RACV resorts, clubs and retail stores.

The new staff – all based in Australia – are intended to ease pressure on customer inquiries following coronavirus-related disruption to the insurer’s call centres in the Philippines.

IAG has a close relationship with RACV – it owns 70% and RACV 30% of Insurance Manufacturers of Australia, which issues policies in Victoria under the RACV Insurance brand. Many RACV staff have been affected by COVID-19 shut-downs.

“Due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on our teams and partners around the globe, we are currently prioritising our customer service operations within Australia, which remain fully operational,” a company spokeswoman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Our new colleagues will join us to help support our customers who’ve made claims, including those who are recovering from the recent bushfires and hailstorms.”

IAG also announced the appointment of Jane Bowd as an additional Company Secretary. She was formerly Group Company Secretary & Corporate Counsel at Coca-Cola Amatil, and prior to that spent more than 23 years serving in the Australian Army.